Carnation plant named CFPC Sunset

ABSTRACT

A new and unusual miniature spray carnation of orange and picotee red coloration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Carnation varieties producing flowers of many different colors are wellknown. However, it is desirable to provide a new miniature variety ofcarnation producing sprays of flowers having orange and picotee redcoloration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of carnationplant which was originated by me in a controlled breeding program by mycrossing as seed and pollen parents, two numbered but unnamed andunpatented seedlings of my creation. The varietal denomination of thisnew carnation is `CFPC Sunset`.

Among the novel characteristics possessed by the new variety whichdistinguish it from its parents and all other varieties of which I amaware are the unusual flower coloring for a carnation and earlyflowering response.

Asexual reproduction by propagation by side shoot cuttings of the newvariety as performed in Fremont and Salinas, Calif., shows that theforegoing and other distinguishing characteristics come true to form andare established and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of the new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in color illustration of this character.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The new variety, `CFPC Sunset`, produces sprays of flowers of unusualcoloring, and strong straight stems; with an average of five openflowers and buds per spray. The new variety also has a strong calyx withvery little splitting. `CFPC Sunset` exhibits early response which,together with its attractive and unusual coloring and the othercharacteristics heretofore and hereinafter described, make it especiallysuitable for commercial spray-type cut flower production.

The following is a detailed description of my new variety, with colorterminology in accordance with The Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart (R.H.S.C.C.). The terminology used in the color description hereinrefers to plate numbers in the aforementioned color chart. Colordesignations and color descriptions may deviate slightly from the statedvalues from flowering-to-flowering but the deviations will be within therange expected from varying environmental, seasonal and culturalconditions.

The information provided herein is based on observations of plants growninside commercial greenhouses at Fremont, Calif. The height of plant andflower and foliage size are established as an average using standardcommercial cultural practices.

Name: CFPC Sunset.

Classification:

Botanical.--Dianthus caryophyllus.

Commercial.--Greenhouse type, suitable for cut flower production as aspray.

Parentage:

Female parent.--Unnamed seedling (No. 0133).

Male parent--Unnamed seedling (No. 0162).

PLANT

Height: About 39 inches.

Growing habit: Herbaceous, semi-upright.

Blooming habit: Terminal as a spray.

Blooming season: Year round.

Rooting time: About 18 days.

Mutation prone: No.

Disease resistance: Unknown.

Temperature tolerance: Typical for carnation.

FOLIAGE

Color:

Upper side.--Near to 136B.

Lower side.--Near to 137A.

Size: About 51/4 inches long and about 3/8-inch wide at base of plant.

Quantity: Numerous.

Shape: Lanceolate.

Texture: Smooth.

Ribs: Central keel.

Arrangement: Bi-lateral along stem.

Stem:

Color --Green.

BUD

Shape: Oval.

Color: Near to 132B.

Length: About 3/4 to 1 inch.

Diameter: About 2/3 to 3/4 inch.

CALYX

Number of lobes (sepals): About 6.

Length: About 1 inch.

Width: About 3/4 inch.

Color:

Outside.--Near to 132B.

Inside.--Near to 130C.

BLOOM

Borne: Terminal as a spray.

Color:

General tonality.--Orange with a red picotee border on petals.

Upper side.--Primary or base color is from near 29C to near 28D; picoteeedge color is from near 46B to C to 50A.

Reverse.--Base color is near to 28D, picotee edge color is near 50A.

Outer petals.--Picotee edge is near 50A.

Permanence: Yes.

Keeping habit: About 14 days.

Fragrance: Slight to none.

Size:

Diameter.--About 22/3 to 23/4 inches.

Depth.--About 11/4 inches.

PETALS

Number: About 20-22.

Outer petals:

Length.--About 2 inches.

Width.--About 11/8 inches.

Texture: Smooth.

Form: Fan shaped.

Central petals:

Length.--About 2/3 inch.

Width.--About 1/2 inch.

Appearance: Shiny.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens:

Number.--About 13-14.

Arrangement.--Around the ovary.

Anthers:

Number.--About 13-14.

Length.--About 3/8 to 1/4 inch.

Color.--Near to 20B.

Filaments:

Length.--About 1/2 to 2/3 inch.

Color.--Near to 155C.

Pistil:

Number.--About 2.

Length.--About 3/4 to 1 inch.

Color.--Style -- near to 155A.

Stigma:

Number.--About 2.

Color.--White.

Fertility:

Male.--Yes.

Female.--Unknown.

Ovary:

Shape.--Conical, ribbed.

Color.--Base -- greenish white. Body -- greenish yellow. Apex -- tan.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniature carnation plant,substantially as shown and described, characterized particularly byflowers of attractive orange and picotee red coloration borne in sprays.